Week in Review: Feb. 27-March 3

The session’s first committee deadline is one week from today. By next Friday, committees must act favorably on bills in the house of origin, although the deadline does not apply to major appropriation and finance bills. Those still have another month to move before the third deadline on April 4.

But with Minnesota Management and Budget’s February budget forecast released earlier this week and budget targets likely soon to follow, lawmakers will have all the information available to chart the state’s economic path for the next two years.

A significant step on the journey could be taken Monday when the House meets in session at 3:30 p.m. with two bonding bills on its Calendar for the Day — HF669 and HF670. Those may not be the last bonding bills of the session, but they are a major package of investments after the Legislature did not pass a bonding bill in either 2021 or 2022.  

You can find Monday’s complete House schedule here. Have an enjoyable weekend, and here’s a look back at what you may have missed over the last few days.

AGRICULTURE

Bill offering assistance to small meat processors could fix a weak link in food chain

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17743

Ag committee considers bill to put more local food on school lunch trays

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17735

Ag bill aims to reduce financial risk of launching new soil health practices

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17719

BUDGET

State’s projected budget surplus holds steady at $17.5 billion

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17708

BUSINESS AND COMMERCE

Sports betting bill gets a win with first committee approval

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17710

CONSUMERS

Bill to ban price gouging during public emergencies clears House

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17746

CIVIL LAW

Stuck in neutral at legislature for years, MN’s Equal Rights Amendment supporters push again for passage

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17737

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Bill proposes $10 million to fund organization working to reduce racial economic gap

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17732

EDUCATION

House lawmakers hear appeal to significantly hike spending on school safety

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17751

Republican proposal to fund training of special education teachers garners bipartisan support

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17728

House bill to require ethnic studies in Minnesota schools clears first committee stop

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17721

ELECTIONS

As lawmakers face increased threats, bill could allow candidates to keep home addresses private

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17724

Votes are in: Plan to protect election officials gets a win in committee

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17722

EMPLOYMENT

House panel advances proposal to tackle wage theft in construction industry

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17747

Proposal would lessen or eliminate penalties for receiving unintentional unemployment overpayments

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17727

House panel OKs bill to prohibit employers from asking applicants about past salaries

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17714

ENERGY

More clean energy projects could tap into CERTs’ wisdom with funding boost

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17733

Buildings the state’s next focus for lowering emissions

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17718

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES

Environment panel approves bill to phase in boating education, permit requirements

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17734

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Prescription drug carve-out seeks to save rural pharmacies at risk of closure

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17741

House lawmakers consider package of measures to ease child care workforce ‘catastrophe’

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17736

MN lawmakers seek solutions to state’s mental health staff shortages

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17729

Grants proposed to help expand dental provider access to Minnesotans on public programs

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17715

More help may be on the way for kinship caregivers

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17713

Bill seeks to promote self-advocacy for people with intellectual, developmental disabilities

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17711

HIGHER EDUCATION

House, Senate hearing recommends four candidates to serve as U of M regents

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17723

HOUSING

House lawmakers OK over $200 million for homeless services in ‘Pathway Home Act’

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17744

Bill seeks $75 million to help preserve Ramsey County’s homeless prevention efforts

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17742

Housing mediation program could resolve disputes out-of-court

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17720

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Lawmaker proposes help to locate public land survey monuments

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17748

MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS

Panel hears governor’s military and vets budget bill

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17709

PUBLIC SAFETY

House passes bill to close loophole in MN's ‘Peeping Tom’ law

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17745

Legislation would alter practices in MN’s juvenile detention centers

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17740

Sponsor says bill to cap probation terms at five years would relieve state’s ‘overburdened’ system

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17717

STATE GOVERNMENT

‘Ban the box’ prohibition could be extended to board, commission appointments

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17738

Lawmakers may require future state construction projects to utilize greener building materials

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17726

TAXES

Minnesota’s hotels could get a boost from tourism improvement districts

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17750

Renter’s credit could become a spring thing under tax bill

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17725

Governor’s tax proposals include cuts, credits and checks

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17716

TRANSPORTATION

Ride the rails from Minneapolis to Duluth? House panel considers $194 million ask for Northern Lights Express

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17749

As public safety concerns mount, lawmakers consider measures to put Metro Transit back on track

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17739

Transportation committee considers $100 million for Corridors of Commerce

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17712